Three Huskies Brewing joins the pack of Ontario County brewers

Thursday

Aug 21, 2014 at 12:40 AMAug 21, 2014 at 12:51 AM

By Melody Burri melody@messengerpostmedia.comCANANDAIGUA — Craft beer fans looking to quench their thirsts need look no further than Ontario County. On the heels of a popular beer tasting event on Canandaigua’s Main Street, the inaugural HopsfestNY in East Bloomfield, and the front and center prominence of craft beer at the Finger Lakes Riesling Festival — another local micro-brewery will open its doors on Friday, Aug. 22.The ribbon was cut Wednesday to launch Three Huskies Brewing, tucked inside Dobber’s Sports Bar and Grill at 401 Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua. Pack Dog Porter was on tap, paired with Pack Dog Porter wings at the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.“The Chamber is thrilled to welcome Three Huskies Brewing to the Canandaigua business community,” said CCC President and CEO Alison Grems. “The Chamber is pleased that Canandaigua community and region is taking part in the growth of microbreweries. Their impact is felt in both the addition of jobs but also as an additional driver of tourism.”For Three Huskies Brewing co-owner Justin Henderson, the new venture has been 10 years in the making.“It all started with a Mr. Beer kit, believe it or not,” said Henderson. “It was the worst beer that I was so proud of, and realized in a hurry how bad it was.”Gradually stepping up his skills over the last decade, Three Huskies Brewery is now a dream come true for Henderson. He recognized a chance to fill a niche locally, both brewing and selling craft beer on the premises. Eventually he and his wife, Venessa Henderson, will make their product available to other outlets locally, but will target in house sales for now.“At the moment we’re focused on getting open and getting things going before taking that next step,” Henderson said.At least five or six craft beers will be on tap at all times within the brewery, plus additional kegged beers waiting to be rotated through, Henderson said.His plan is to brew 15 to 20 different varieties in the first year, sticking with the core lineup of four “true styles” year round. All will be available in "howlers," which is the Three Huskies version of growlers.With 20 years of industry experience under his belt, Naked Dove Brewing Company founder and brewmaster Dave Schlosser was on hand to share some tips of the trade with Henderson during the planning process.“We were the first brewery in Ontario County,” said Schlosser. “It’s something that’s grown over time. We’re starting to see a huge growth in it recently. It’s a combination of being in the Finger Lakes, a beautiful area, a lot of tourism, but also people realizing there are different types of beers out there and different flavors to try. The small brewery is a big part of that.”By this fall Ontario County should boast seven microbreweries: Three Huskies Brewing, Naked Dove Brewing Company and Twisted Rail Brewing Company, all in Canandaigua; Crafty Ales and Lagers in Phelps, VB Brewery in Victor, Lake Drum Brewing in Geneva, and Nedloh Brewing Company in East Bloomfield.Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office reports that craft manufacturers have experienced unprecedented growth over the past three years. Statistics show the number of microbreweries has risen from 40 in 2011 to 103 in 2014 — an increase of 156 percent. In addition, 48 new farm breweries have opened up across the state. The number of farm distilleries in New York has increased 420 percent, from 10 in the first quarter of 2011 to 52 in 2014, while the number of farm wineries has risen by nearly 50 percent, from 195 in 2011 to 289 today.Nationwide, the number of breweries has more than doubled from 398 to 860 between 2007 and 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That growth, in turn, is creating jobs and revenues, with the breweries industry reporting more than $28 billion in shipments in 2012, which is up one-third from 2007. Employment has reached in excess of 26-thousand worker — a jump of 17 percent.“This is really becoming a burgeoning market,” said Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Specialist Thomas Lyon. “For a long time the Finger Lakes has been known for the wine. And now with all the breweries and distilleries coming in around the area — it’s fantastic.”Henderson said he’ll have Three Huskies beers at the Victor Beer Walk on Oct. 8, and the next Canandaigua Beer Walk in November.“You’re trying to educate consumers and create new customers,” said Schlosser. “If they try a good beer here at Three Huskies they may say, ‘let’s go up to Naked Dove and try that as well.’ It’s a huge untapped market. As long as everybody’s making good beer — the more the merrier.”